The SAS Function Compiler (FCMP) procedure enables you to create, test, and store SAS functions, CALL routines, and subroutines before you use them in other SAS procedures or DATA steps. PROC FCMP provides the ability to build functions, CALL routines, and subroutines using DATA step syntax that is stored in a data set. The procedure accepts slight variations of DATA step statements, and you can use most features of the SAS programming language in functions and CALL routines that are created by PROC FCMP. You can call PROC FCMP functions and CALL routines from the DATA step just as you would any other SAS function, CALL routine, or subroutine. This feature enables programmers to more easily read, write, and maintain complex code with independent and reusable subroutines. You can reuse the PROC FCMP routines in any DATA step or SAS procedure that has access to their storage location.

You can use the functions and subroutines that you create in PROC FCMP with the DATA step, the WHERE statement, the Output Delivery System (ODS), and with the following procedures: For more information about using PROC FCMP with ODS, see the SAS Output Delivery System: User's Guide.